Patents Represented by Attorney James R. Cypher

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  • Rigid intersection connection
    Patent number: 5328287
    Abstract: A rigid intersection connection including three intersecting elongated wood structural members and a rigid connector made from a single sheet metal blank which requires no welding. The rigid connector includes a pair of angular members joined in angular relationship and joined at a common outer edge. The rigid connector more specifically includes structure for engaging two sides of one of the elongated wood structural members and three sides of two of the elongated wood structural members. The disclosure includes a log holder, a table, a bunk bed, and a greenhouse or garden structure as examples of structures which can be readily constructed from the rigid intersection connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Tyrell T. Gilb
  • Hinge connection
    Patent number: 5324132
    Abstract: A hinge connection for joining a heavy carrying wood member such as a glulam and a carried wood member having different depth dimensions including a metal hinge connector having side members disposed on opposite sides of the carrying and carried wood members joined at a lower portion by a seat member and at upper portions by a top flange member. The hinge connection is particularly suited for structures subject to earthquakes, hurricanes and other cataclysmic events which subject the structure to uplift and lateral forces in addition to the specified gravity load design forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman R. Hunter, John G. Herrera
  • Offset anchor bolt and method of orientation
    Patent number: 5317850
    Abstract: An anchor bolt connection in a framed building which includes a concrete foundation for supporting and anchoring a framed building against uplift forces and an anchor bolt for connecting the frame of the building to the concrete foundation. The anchor bolt is formed with an offset so that a substantial portion of the embedded portion of the anchor bolt is at an angle to the axis of the upper portion of the anchor bolt. In an optimum form of the invention, substantially all of the embedded portion of the anchor bolt is at an angle to the upper portion. In a preferred form of the anchor bolt connection, indicia marks are placed on the anchor bolt so that the rotational orientation of the anchor bolt can be inspected before, during and after the concrete is poured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Karen W. Colonias, Thomas J. Fitzmyers
  • Wood-to-pipe connection
    Patent number: 5297890
    Abstract: A wood-to-pipe connection in which a single sheet metal connector and a single threaded straight bolt are used to connect a wood frame member to an elongated pipe member. The elongated pipe member could be a metal conduit, standard pipe member or even a solid circular wood pole member. The wood-to-pipe connection is especially useful in attaching wood fencing to metal pipe used for fence posts. The sheet metal connector may be field bent by hand so that the same sheet metal connector may be used in connecting fence rails at mid-rail connections, butt joints, outside corners, inside corners and sloping fences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred D. Commins
  • Rim tie connection
    Patent number: 5274981
    Abstract: A rim tie connection for building structures including a wood post member, first and second wood rim members and a sheet metal connector. One specialized use of the rim tie connection is in constructing the floor support framing in gazebo structures. In such structures the wood post member is generally in a vertical position and the wood rim members are in a generally horizontal position. The sheet metal connector ties the ends of the wood rim members together and to the wood post member. The sheet metal connector includes a seat member, for holding the wood rim members and a back member for attachment to the front face of the wood post member. Floor boards attached to and supported by the wood rim members need not be notched to fit around the post member as in prior practice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred D. Commins
  • Rigid intersection connection
    Patent number: 5259685
    Abstract: A rigid intersection connection including three intersecting elongated wood structural members and a rigid connector made from a single sheet metal blank which requires no welding.The rigid connector includes a pair of angular members joined in angular relationship and joined at a common outer edge.The rigid connector more specifically includes structure for engaging two sides of one of the elongated wood structural members and three sides of two of the elongated wood structural members.The disclosure includes a log holder, a table, a bunk bed, and a greenhouse or garden structure as examples of structures which can be readily constructed from the rigid intersection connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Tyrell T. Gilb
  • Multiple framing member connection
    Patent number: 5253465
    Abstract: A multiple truss connection in which one or two trusses, such as a right hip truss and a jack truss, or a left hip truss and a jack truss, or two hip trusses are connected to a supporting girder by means of a sheet metal hanger. The sheet metal hanger is constructed from a single sheet metal blank in which no welding is required. The sheet metal hanger includes a seat member, first and second backwall members which are connected to the supporting girder and first and second side members connected to the supported trusses. A flange member integrally connected to the seat provides further connection when a jack truss is supported. The identical sheet metal hanger can also be used in a multiple framing member connection in which the wood members are standard lumber rather than trusses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Tyrell T. Gilb
  • Holdown connection
    Patent number: 5249404
    Abstract: A holdown connection including a single element holdown connector formed from a single metal sheet member requiring no welding for connecting a wood stud member to an anchoring means such as a concrete foundation or another structural member. Three sides of the connector are joined at 90.degree. to each other along a rigid corner bend line. A holding seat member overlaps with a held seat member so that a held edge of the held seat member is in close engagement with a substantial portion of the length of the rigid bend line of the holding seat member. Bending slots formed in the back and side members are limited in length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Leek, Alfred D. Commins
  • Rafter-to-corner plate connection
    Patent number: 5236273
    Abstract: A wood rafter to wood corner plate connection in either a gazebo or a building roof having a hip roof. A single element sheet metal connector is provided having a base member connected to the corner plate, wing members connected to and tying the corner plates together, and a seat member bendably connected to the base for attaching a rafter at varying angles from 0.degree. to 90.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Tyrell T. Gilb
  • Gazebo top connection
    Patent number: 5197241
    Abstract: A gazebo top connection which includes a gazebo top connector formed from a single sheet metal piece, the upper ends of a plurality of wood rafters and fasteners joining the gazebo top connector and the wood rafters. The gazebo top connector is formed with arms which are field bendable to accommodate rafters at infinite pitches over a wide range of roof pitches. A compression ring formed in the gazebo top connector provides a connection which gives strength to the connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest A. Romeo, Tyrell T. Gilb
  • Gas appliance connection
    Patent number: 5165732
    Abstract: A combination of metallurgical and vent engineering design solutions that result in a superior product, lower installed cost, and corrosion-free performance for venting modern fan-assisted gas appliances by using a flexible, compressible, corrugated gas vent connector. Preferably the connector is constructed from a material having a heat conductivity substantially equal to or greater than aluminum. Other forms of the invention include the use of stainless steel; a double wall corrugated wall in the flex section; and the use of flat flex in the corrugated section.By providing the flex connector with twist lock couplings the connector may be assembled in the field more quickly with a greater assurance of its integrity under adverse conditions such as earthquakes or other building moving conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: Simpson Dura Vent Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald M. Townsend
  • Post to railing tie
    Patent number: 5160211
    Abstract: A connector for securing a wood railing to a wood post by fasteners which are in shear in relaton to all forces imposed upon the railing. The connector is a single piece sheet metal member formed in a generally triangular cross section with openings provided for the insertion of the fasteners. The connector is placed on the underside of the railing to eliminate all top nailing or driving of screws through the top side of the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Tyrell T. Gilb
  • Deck post tie
    Patent number: 5150982
    Abstract: An upright connection including a rigid one-piece connector for joining an upright supported member to a support structure having a support surface and an angularly related edge surface. The connector includes an elongated rigid back member which is connected to the angularly related edge surface of the support structure and in combination with side members, encapsulates the upright supported member. Fasteners inserted through openings in flange members connected to the side members attach the connector to the support surface, and fasteners inserted through openings in the side members attach the upright supported member to the connector. The connection is used primarily in connecting guard rail posts to a wood deck structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Tyrell T. Gilb
  • Holdown strap
    Patent number: 5150553
    Abstract: A holdown strap connection including an elongated sheet metal holdown strap for joining a generally vertical wood frame member such as a post or stud to a concrete foundation without the use of threaded anchor bolts washers and threaded nuts. The elongated sheet metal holdown strap includes a foot section embedded in the concrete, a transition section connected to the foot section which extends above the foundation past the outside edge of the wood mudsill and along a portion of the edge of the wood frame member and an elongated strap section connected to the transition section and extends in registration with the side face of the vertical wood frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred D. Commins, Ernest A. Romeo
  • Bearing connection
    Patent number: 5109646
    Abstract: A bearing connection in a building structure for distributing downward gravity bearing loads through fasteners driven through sheet metal connectors and into a load carrying wood structural member such as a floor joist, a roof rafter or a wood truss member, through a pair of sheet metal connectors and into a wood plate member via fasteners driven through the connectors and into the plate member. Seismic, hurricane or other upward forces are also resisted by the same connectors and fasteners. Relative movement between the load carrying structural member and the plate member is also resisted in a generally horizontal direction transverse as well as parallel to the plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Karen W. Colonias, Michael W. Bugbee
  • Hanger connection
    Patent number: 5104252
    Abstract: A connection in a wood frame building wherein a one piece sheet metal hanger connector is used to join together a wood supporting member, and one or two wood supported members. The connector is connected to the supporting member by a top flange and the supported members are joined to the connector as well as to the supporting member by fasteners driven through openings in flanges of the connector, through the supporting member, through the back wall of the connector and into the supporting member. The arrangement places the fasteners in double shear resulting in unusually large load holding capability for the size and weight of the sheet metal connector. The connector seat is fully supported at the sides and back resulting in high load holding capacity both downwardly and upwardly with unusual rigidity and resistance to lateral forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Karen W. Colonias, William F. Leek
  • Shutter for animal-watering valve
    Patent number: 5065700
    Abstract: A shutter assembly for an animal-watering valve which is operable by a small animal moving a lever arm from side to side. The primary purpose of the shutter is to prevent the animal from stuffing material between the lever arm and the water passage and thereby render the valve inoperable i.e. in a full on, full off or leaking mode. The shutter includes a disc mounted on the lever arm which substantially covers the annular opening between the lever arm and the water passage formed in the valve housing. To insure operablility of the valve at elevated water pressures, a pressure equalization chamber may be formed in the valve to equalize the water pressure on the shutter when the valve is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Se Lab Group, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Cross
  • Heath plant named Heidi
    Patent number: PP8014
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of heath named `Heidi`, a seedling of unknown pollen parent discovered growing in a field of Erica persoluta `Sunset`, the variety believed to be the seed parent, which is principally distinguished by its dwarfish growth habit which makes it suitable for pot plant culture relative to that of its parent, which is of the cut flower variety. The new variety is also distinguished by its red-purple magenta colored blooms, its natural abundant branching, its stiff erect stems, its compact, dense appearance, and its early blooming time of mid January through mid February which makes it available for the Valentine Day market.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Bay City Flower Co.
    Inventor: Bruno L. Imazio
  • Shoe sole shock absorber
    Patent number: D334463
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Hi-Tec Sports PLC
    Inventor: David J. H. Chang
  • Heath plant named Happy
    Patent number: PP8650
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of heath plant named Erica persoluta `Happy`, a seedling on unknown pollen and seed parentage, discovered in a field of Erica persoluta, which is distinguished from Erica persoluta and other varieties known to me by its early flowering habit, dense and compact appearance, natural short growth habit, orchid colored blooms that cover the plume from the base of the stem all the way to the tip of the plant, and its tight, narrow and erect plumes spike-like flower clusters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Bay City Flower Co.
    Inventor: Bruno L. Imazio